Asda’s charity, the Asda Foundation, is committed to supporting projects and groups in your community that are most important to those who live there. Following the pandemic, they believe that groups supporting under-18s are particularly in need of our support.

This grant will help give children the best start in life, tackling poverty, inclusion, and wellbeing. Also, it is designed to support a broad range of activities for this age group which can contribute to transforming the community and improving the lives of children in that community.

Background and funding priorities:

There are four themes for applicants to choose from, there is a focus for this grant round on supporting groups helping to address issues associated with the rising costs of living and supporting children over the summer holidays:

• Supporting Essentials: to ensure there is no hungry child and essentials are provided.
• Being Active: to enable every child to have the opportunity to be active.
• Improving Wellbeing: activities to support a child’s mental health, to encourage creativity.
• Celebrating and Bringing Children Together: enable under 18s to celebrate within the community.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Not-for-profit community groups in the UK are eligible to apply.
• Organisations must have a presence in their local community and must demonstrate how the activity will benefit those under 18 years old.
• Groups may apply for one grant per grant programme each year.

Groups applying must meet all the following criteria:

• The group must have a presence in and benefit the local community
• Any equipment funded is the property of the group and is not for individual use
• End beneficiaries must be community groups of people, under the age of 18
• There is no minimum timescale for how long the group has been in existence

How much can you apply for?

You may apply for one U18 Better Starts grant per year to a maximum of £1500 and a minimum of £500.

How to apply?

• Submission application forms are available from the Community Champion, and must be submitted to the local Community Champion.
• Applications should be submitted at least six weeks before the activity to give enough processing time.
• The local Community Champion should be contacted to discuss the grant and to check eligibility.
• There are two different forms – Government Entity and Non-Government Entity forms.
• How to complete an Application Form Group Guide is here.

Is there a deadline?

Applications must be submitted to your local Community Champion between 19 September – 11 November 2022 and activities must start/take place before 31 January 2023.

Further information and support

• Link to fund for more information: U18 Better Starts Grants, Group Guidance & Criteria.
• Contact the Asda Foundation for further information.
• If you would like further support from RVA with submitting a funding application or any support with governance required for your group to get ready for this funding, please email advice@rva.org.uk or telephone 0118 937 2273 for free and independent support and advice.